"It's a nightmare," he said. "It's one of the worst days I have ever had in football.

"It is hard to take. No one wants to lose, especially in this way in your own stadium."

Liverpool could have scored in the third minute, but Daniel Sturridge fluffed a shot with his weaker right foot after being played in by the excellent Jordan Henderson.

Joe Allen also miscued in the 28th minute after Vidic sent a interception straight to him.

In the 33rd minute yet another incisive Liverpool break saw Sturridge cross to Suarez and Rafael handball after the Uruguayan took a super touch in the box.

Clattenburg award a penalty - the first he had given against United in 20 league games - and Gerrard drilled it in.

United had their only real chance in the 44th minute. Simon Mignolet saved Rooney's first-time sidefoot spectacularly.

Just 25 seconds after the restart and Clattenburg gave a second spot-kick.

PAYING THE PENALTY: Gerrard converted two from the spot at Old Trafford [AP]

Phil Jones foolishly barged over the Allen as he took his turn to dart onto a Henderson pass.

Gerrard put his kick in the same place as his first.

United had claims for a Glen Johnson handball in the box and a Martin Skrtel bodycheck on Rooney on its edge.

Liverpool also reckoned Vidic handled in the penalty area and, late on, that Michael Carrick caught Sturridge, also in the box.

A third penalty did come in the 78th minute. Yet another loose United ball, from Rooney, saw Sturridge charge towards goal.

He always looked certain to get past Vidic, and did, and the United skipper's foot was there for the England striker to fall over.

It meant a second booking for Vidic - who protested it was a dive. But Gerrard sent his kick against the post.

In the 83rd a fantastic one-handed save by David De Gea denied Suarez. He was not to be denied because a minute later Sturridge's dragged shot landed right in his path and he bent in with his left foot for his 25th league goal of the season - just 21 less than the entire United squad.

“We are still going away disappointed that we didn't score more goals. We have shown out there that we are genuine contenders”

Steven Gerrard

After witnessing a fifth league home defeat this season and ninth in total, United fans kept their unrest to just some ironic cheering when Marouane Fellaini was substituted.

If their idols crash out of the Champions League on Wednesday to Olympiakos, the natives will surely be far more restless and the calls for Moyes to go in the first year of his planned six at Old Trafford will grow.

While Rodgers wouldn't talk up Liverpool's title chances, Gerrard did - and also chucked in a dig at United.

"We are still going away disappointed that we didn't score more goals," said the England skipper.

"We have shown out there that we are genuine contenders."

At the corresponding stage of last season, United were 29 points ahead of their rivals, so Gerrard and Co have turned it round by 43 points.